Monday, March 31, 2008

Toseland and Babelgum join forcesLondon, 26 March 2008 – Babelgum – a free, interactive, alternative TV-quality internet platform – is launching a dedicated motorcycling community. The aim of the community is to allow motorcyclists and motorcycle racing fans unlimited access to some of the best biking footage available from all over the world. Known as Babelgum, the new interactive web TV portal’s goal is to create a global motorcycling community by giving viewers free-to-air access to an unrivalled choice of two-wheeled, broadcast-quality, on-demand television.The new motorcycling community, which is part of the www.babelgum.com network, also has the support of Britain’s current Superbike World Champion and MotoGP contender James Toseland, who is teaming up with Babelgum on 28 March in Jerez, Spain, for the official launch of this online community for bikers.Toseland is carrying the hopes of every British motorcycle racing fan as he contests his first year in the MotoGP World Championship with the Tech 3 Yamaha team. Not since the halcyon days of Barry Sheene have British biking fans had so much to cheer about. Toseland’s appeal goes much further than the racetrack. It is his approachable nature, serious work ethic and media-friendliness that have made him the best choice for an ‘ambassadorial’ role with this exciting new motorcycle television platform, according to Babelgum’s Chief Executive Valerio Zingarelli. “We’re extremely excited to have James on board for the official launch of our global motorcycle TV community. Our goal is to merge the power of the web with world-class television programming to bring viewers the same kind of passion that they would experience while out riding their own motorcycles,” he says.“James demonstrates this passion, not only every time he gets on his race bike, but also with everything else he does – be it training, testing or playing live music on national television with his rock band. As well as showing many other biking programmes, we’ll be following James’ rookie year in MotoGP closely.”However, viewers can get early access to this dedicated motorcycle channel now by visiting www.babelgum.com where, after a simple and quick registration procedure that gives access to Babelgum’s unique media player, users can create and customise their own television channel, join a growing online community of bikers, share favourite clips and watch hours of motorcycling-related television, at any time of the night or day. One person that has already done this is James Toseland, who explains why he is involved right at the early stages of this new venture: “I’m really pleased and honoured to perform this ambassadorial role for Babelgum,” said the 27-year-old. Just like in MotoGP, technology moves fast and if you don’t keep up you definitely get left out in the cold. The power of the internet means that the way we watch TV is changing forever and future generations will find it hard to believe that we all used to sit passively in front of a screen waiting for our favourite programme to start! To be able to watch what you want, when you want, and wherever you want is what Babelgum is all about, so I’m delighted to support the efforts being made to bring dedicated biking television to the masses.” For further formation or to request an invitation to the launch please contact: babelgum@rbplimited.co.uktag:Motorcycle Community, Babelgum, James Toseland, MotoGP, Superbike World Champion,